Yeah they would. But I dont foresee Chicago doing that either. It's a shame because Carmelo there would be good. I dont even know if Carmelo wants to stick around in Chicago ...since he's from NY.

NY has nothing to offer and I think Carmello would jump at a chance to play in a big market like Chicago to be able to counter the Miami machine. NewJersey has a god awful team so I can't see him wanting to go there either.

down for h2h, standard 9 category with an extra like offensive boards. Yahoo sports, maybe a small buy in of like $20?

predictions:

ROY: I think Blake Griffin will actually be better but Wall will get the award because of all of the playing time and responsibility he will have, I think Cousins will finish 3rd

MVP: all of the experts are picking Durant or Kobe. I still think the knee issue with Kobe is the understated story of the summer. When something like that happens and you continually have to have it drained or worked on in some way it affects you. I really think the Heat will have the best record in the league by a number of wins (say 4-5) and voters will give it to Lebron again. I think he and Wade will both be dominant but Lebron will assert himself as option #1 on that team by the end of the season. My predictions for his stats: 23 ppg, 8.5 reb, 9.5 asst. Durant could easily win it if he leads them to a 2 seed in the West though.

DPOY: I don’t see how this doesn’t go to Howard again. The man is just entering his prime still.

Most Improved: this is always tough. I’m gonna go with Roy Hibbert, not having Murphy there should give him more touches. Javale Mcgee is a close 2nd.

6th MAN: Going with Landry if they plan to bring him off the bench.

Seeding of 1-8 in playoffs:

West: Lakers, Thunder(yep, that's right I have them at #2), Dallas, Portland, Utah, Phoenix, Houston, SA with denver missing the playoffs assuming that melo is gone.

East: Heat, Magic, Celtics, Hawks, Bulls, Bucks, Bobcats, Wizards

finals predictions:

West- lakers vs. okc. lakers taking it

east- toss up between boston&orlando vs. Heat but doesn't matter cause heat will beat either team.

NBA champs- Miami Heat

ps: the heat will win 65+ wins at the least (assuming no major injury to the big 3) and will be close to 72.

NY has nothing to offer and I think Carmello would jump at a chance to play in a big market like Chicago to be able to counter the Miami machine. NewJersey has a god awful team so I can't see him wanting to go there either.

NYC has a lot to offer, a bigger market and a possible 3some like the Heat has but with Amare and CP3. CP3 and Melo are already planning it, CP3 even joked about it in Melos wedding reception when he made a speech. That can easily counter Miamis big 3. Plus it is NYC, outside of LA, there isn't any bigger market if not the biggest.

New Jersey actually has a very solid team. Lopez, Favors and Murphy (deadly 3-point threat) is a great big combo. They have Harris and Farmar as PGs, I mean Farmar is ok but Harris is still a pretty damn good scorer. Then they got Morrow as another deadly shooter along with Outlaw, who is a good, athletic all-around player. Terrence Williams showed some signs of being a decent player too. In the end, if Melo were able to go to NJ, that team would be ranked pretty high, this team was set-up for Lebron and I do not see a reason why Melo can't fit in it.

Wow, I am quite surprised you have the Wiz being in the playoffs? I know Wall will be good but in a tough Eastern conference, I might just pick the Sixers or even the Nets or the Pacers over them. Pacers got Collison, dude put up work when CP3 was out last year and that is what the Pacers really needed, a competent PG and they got it. They also have a healthier Dunleavy, a probably improved Hibbert (dude was good when Murphy was out), Posey and Jones (surprised scorer too) as good defenders and a Granger who had a good experienced with the US team. Hansbrough will have more chance to play too since Foster is getting pretty old.

You also have the Suns ranked high, they have no more big. Their biggest acquisition is Hedo and I am not even sure how his game will work out with Nash since he is a point forward. It didn't work well with Calderon, I don't see it working well with Nash either.

No way the Heat wins the chip this year, I just don't see it. My mind could change once the season starts or once I see them play together but right now, I just can't call them a surefire champ.

As for most improved, Hibbert is a good candidate but with Granger, I just don't see him getting many touches. I can see Blatche since he beasted once Jamison left and he could only benefit playing with Wall. Mcgee is too frail and weak.

ROY, I agree that Wall might get it over Blake unless for some reason Blake leads the Clips to a better playoff spot than 7th or 8th place.

DPOY, no one is getting that as long as Dwight is playing in his twenties.

As big of a Kobe fan I am, I just do not see him being an MVP candidate. He is still very good, probably still arguably the best but I can see him being of a less offensive player since they'll be so stacked defensively that they'll have a better transition offense and Kobe usually dominates on iso or triangle. We'll see. I can see Durant winning it just because his stats will be way up, he'll have the scoring title again and Lebron and Wades stats won't be as high.

NYC has a lot to offer, a bigger market and a possible 3some like the Heat has but with Amare and CP3. CP3 and Melo are already planning it, CP3 even joked about it in Melos wedding reception when he made a speech. That can easily counter Miamis big 3. Plus it is NYC, outside of LA, there isn't any bigger market if not the biggest. New Jersey actually has a very solid team. Lopez, Favors and Murphy (deadly 3-point threat) is a great big combo. They have Harris and Farmar as PGs, I mean Farmar is ok but Harris is still a pretty damn good scorer. Then they got Morrow as another deadly shooter along with Outlaw, who is a good, athletic all-around player. Terrence Williams showed some signs of being a decent player too. In the end, if Melo were able to go to NJ, that team would be ranked pretty high, this team was set-up for Lebron and I do not see a reason why Melo can't fit in it.

I meant that NY has nothing to offer in trade. I don't know how NY can get CP3 when they're already maxed out. NJ sucks. Always will.

NY isn't maxed. They got the extra cash for LBJ that didn't fall through. CP3 has no plans of resigning with NO, same with Melo. I am not saying this will happen this year, this will happen in a year or two. They will take pay cuts the way Wade, Bosh and LBJ did just to play with each other, plus they'll make that back just for playing in NYC. Like you said, Denver would rather get scrubs and picks for Melo than nothing and if that is something NYC can offer, Melo will be a very happy man but one way or the other, his plan is to be in NY in the future, along with CP3.

If Melo is traded somewhere else, since I don't think he has the power to veto a trade like Kobe did in his contract, I am pretty he won't re-sign with that team unless that is a team like NY or maybe NJ because of Jay-Z and his influence. He might re-sign if for some miracle he gets traded to Chicago, but I really do not see that happening. If it happens, it'll be very interesting.

NY isn't maxed. They got the extra cash for LBJ that didn't fall through. CP3 has no plans of resigning with NO, same with Melo. I am not saying this will happen this year, this will happen in a year or two. They will take pay cuts the way Wade, Bosh and LBJ did just to play with each other, plus they'll make that back just for playing in NYC. Like you said, Denver would rather get scrubs and picks for Melo than nothing and if that is something NYC can offer, Melo will be a very happy man but one way or the other, his plan is to be in NY in the future, along with CP3. If Melo is traded somewhere else, since I don't think he has the power to veto a trade like Kobe did in his contract, I am pretty he won't re-sign with that team unless that is a team like NY or maybe NJ because of Jay-Z and his influence. He might re-sign if for some miracle he gets traded to Chicago, but I really do not see that happening. If it happens, it'll be very interesting.

That is why they didn't sign Lee, they needed to get rid of his salary. After Amare signed with NY, they still had enough to get Lebron and that is what they were waiting for. Also keep in mind that the cap was higher by a few million that expected too so they had more room to operate. NY has been saving up and opening up cap space for 5 years just for Lebron. And with the max contract expected to be much lower next year after the negotiations (that is why players are re-signing now to get more money like Durant and what Melo should do) it will make it even more possible to get CP3 and Melo.

That is why they didn't sign Lee, they needed to get rid of his salary. After Amare signed with NY, they still had enough to get Lebron and that is what they were waiting for. Also keep in mind that the cap was higher by a few million that expected too so they had more room to operate. NY has been saving up and opening up cap space for 5 years just for Lebron. And with the max contract expected to be much lower next year after the negotiations (that is why players are re-signing now to get more money like Durant and what Melo should do) it will make it even more possible to get CP3 and Melo.

They can sign Melo next year if they can't work out a trade but CP3 is on the books until 2012 and there is no way that they can matchup a trade with NewOrleans. Its just not feasible with NY having no 1st rounder until 2014 and NO having an already maxed out roster. They'd have to take back about 5 guys from NY and it ain't happenin'.

What? Miami has 2 of the 3 best players on this planet. Amare and Melo can't do anything but score.

Yah but with CP3, arguably the best PG? It is a more complete team since they have 1 facilitator, one scorer and one big, plus in D'Antoni's system, that team can compete against the Heat no question. Those 3 have 3 different styles of play while Wade and LBJ are practically copies of each other, they both have to handle the ball. With Miami, people see the big names and expect them to be this great Dream Team but keep in mind these are 3 big egos, no matter how good friends they are. They are surrounded by either scrubs or aging veterans. Now I am first to defend those guys they surrounded the big 3 with but that is purely for the fact that those are decent to good for what they paid for. Can they compliment the big 3? Who knows, Can the big 3 compliment each other? Maybe, but if you look at how each plays, you can see that they might not.

With CP3, Melo and Amare, you see 3 distinct players who can compliment each other. CP3 can handle the ball, drive and drop pass to Amare. He can drive and pass out to Melo for a mid-range or 3 in the corner. CP3 can just give the ball to Melo and let him iso. In transition and in D'Antonis system, a good passer like Nash or CP3 can really shine, and Amare already made his name because of that system and Nash, now he has a faster and younger PG with a running mate in Melo.

So to me, I'd take a combo of Melo, CP3 and Amare w/ D'Antoni over LBJ, Wade and Bosh w/ Spoelstra. And that is from someone who hates Amare.

Wow, I am quite surprised you have the Wiz being in the playoffs? I know Wall will be good but in a tough Eastern conference, I might just pick the Sixers or even the Nets or the Pacers over them. Pacers got Collison, dude put up work when CP3 was out last year and that is what the Pacers really needed, a competent PG and they got it. They also have a healthier Dunleavy, a probably improved Hibbert (dude was good when Murphy was out), Posey and Jones (surprised scorer too) as good defenders and a Granger who had a good experienced with the US team. Hansbrough will have more chance to play too since Foster is getting pretty old. You also have the Suns ranked high, they have no more big. Their biggest acquisition is Hedo and I am not even sure how his game will work out with Nash since he is a point forward. It didn't work well with Calderon, I don't see it working well with Nash either. No way the Heat wins the chip this year, I just don't see it. My mind could change once the season starts or once I see them play together but right now, I just can't call them a surefire champ. As for most improved, Hibbert is a good candidate but with Granger, I just don't see him getting many touches. I can see Blatche since he beasted once Jamison left and he could only benefit playing with Wall. Mcgee is too frail and weak. ROY, I agree that Wall might get it over Blake unless for some reason Blake leads the Clips to a better playoff spot than 7th or 8th place. DPOY, no one is getting that as long as Dwight is playing in his twenties. As big of a Kobe fan I am, I just do not see him being an MVP candidate. He is still very good, probably still arguably the best but I can see him being of a less offensive player since they'll be so stacked defensively that they'll have a better transition offense and Kobe usually dominates on iso or triangle. We'll see. I can see Durant winning it just because his stats will be way up, he'll have the scoring title again and Lebron and Wades stats won't be as high.

Yeah, having the Wiz in the playoffs is a bit of a stretch and I strongly considered putting Philly or NY in but decided to go with the Wiz. I think Wall is going to be nice (thinking Rose like stats in his rookie year in chi) hinrich was a solid pickup, Javale Mcgee will be playing with more confidence having mixed it up with the FIBA team, and most of all I think Arenas will be a good boy and play well this year. these are all big ifs though and they can easily self destruct again and be one of the worst teams in the L. True, losing Amare and Amundson hurt but the suns did sign hedo, josh childress, and hakim warrick. Not ground breaking by any means but it helps ease the pain of over paying for amare. I feel like Lopez will be solid for them this season as a defensive big, and with the addition of all these forward/wing guys the suns are suddenly very deep with hill and dudley, not to mention frye. I also feel like Hedo will have a bounce back season and true playing with calderon he was horrible, but who doesn't play well with nash? Plus, I think Amare is a great talent but a little bit overrated. Great offense player but a horrible help-side defender and doesn't rebound as well as he should. fair enough, but you put the two best players in the league on 1 team who have something to prove, along with a top 5 power forward I just don't see how they don't win it. You would be worried that they couldn't feel the roster out with anybody other than NBDL players, but you add mike miller (who is a solid player who can hit the open 3), eddie house, big z, arroyo, chalmers, haslem, and possibly dampier and those are some solid guys when you add in the big 3. The celtics did it, I don't see why the heat won't. They know what's at stake, and you know pat riley won't let them mess this up. Blatche is a good pick as well, this is always the wild card for predictions. Blatche is another reason why I had the Wiz making the playoffs, he absolutely killed it at the end of last season, especially on my fantasy teams True, but winning seems to play a big role when it comes to MVP voting. You saw it, kobe was a beast in 05-06 and no mvp but finally gets his first when they have a winning record. Lakers will be on top of the West, so he will be in the discussion. but in the end, I see Lebron taking it down since in my prediction I have them having the best record in the NBA, and his stats will be close to a triple double.

Despite having the Lakers as my pick for being the champ, I do not see them having the best record and I think you need that to be an MVP. I mean last year Kobe's MVPship wasn't really mentioned after 1/4 of the season because he was just not doing as well as he usually does.

I do not see Hedo playing well with Nash because Hedo isn't a running player and Nash needs that. Hedo proved that he can't be a spot up shooter like he was with the Kings. He needs the ball to be effective and it's hard to imagine with Nash playing plenty of minutes. I also think they just got smaller, having mediocre wingmens just won't work too well unless you play a smaller team.

Heat is a scary team on paper, they really are and O constantly defend them and their players but I still can't see them winning this year. Not to say they won't win but not in their first year.

As for the Wiz, I still think Wall is too young and they do not have a great coach. It took OKC a couple of years to make a cohesive young team that can compete and even then they are a big surprise and that is with a good coach. I just can't see the Wiz doing that, not when I think their PG is too loaded. Yah I bring that up again.